Indigenous healthcare providers aim to curb high rates of foot amputations caused by diabetes

A clinic on wheels is rolling throughout northern Ontario to help with a critical issue affecting Indigenous communities.

Northern Ontario has the highest rate of amputation because of complications from diabetic foot ulcers.

Recent numbers show that eight in 10 Indigenous Canadians will develop Type 2 diabetes in their lifetime.

Diabetes can cause severe nerve damage and can lead to problems in the feet.

Many Northern Ontario First Nations communities are seeing very high rates of amputation because of diabetic foot ulcers.

• ‘Diabetes epidemic in Indigenous populations’ highlights disparity

Now, an innovative program is trying to deal with this problem, by educating Indigenous people about foot care and providing foot exams.

Lindsey Cosh is the Circle of Care co-ordinator with the Southern Ontario Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative.

She says many of the First Nations patients in the north rarely see foot care specialists — and lose limbs simply because of that reality.

“All of it can be prevented. And that’s the thing of our organization, and our program specifically, we are specifically prevention-based. Preventing diabetes. Preventing the complications,” she said.

“So that’s our main focus and drive is to prevent that from happening.”

The initiative has gone to places like Attawapiskat, Fort Albany, Moosonee, Mattagami, and Wahnapitae.

There are plans in November to visit Wikwemikong and Sagamok First Nations.

Cosh spoke on CBC’s northern Ontario radio program Up North to talk more about the work they do.

First Nations patients in the north rarely see foot care specialists — and lose limbs simply because of that reality. The Southern Ontario Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative has gone to places like Attawapiskat, Fort Albany, Moosonee, Mattagami, and Wahnapitae. (Southern Ontario Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative)